Jeremy Gutsche
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 Green Flight International Takes Off The world’s first biodiesel jet made its innaugural flight, taking off from the Reno airport just last week. As fuel prices soar, the aviation industry has been pushing towards more efficient engines… the concept of using biodiesel advances that effort dramatically. The jet was an old Czechoslovakian L-29 military aircraft which had originally been made to run off a variety of fuels. Rudi Wiedemann, the president of Biodiesel Solutions, told the press, “This test program between Green Flight International and Biodiesel Solutions was a unique and exciting opportunity to show what can be done in renewable fuels… The very idea of using 100% biodiesel to fly a jet aircraft makes a compelling statement about the possibilities for the future of renewable energy and a healthier planet.”  The experimental test flights were conducted starting with a blend of jet fuel and biodiesel. The engine data was measured and the performance was evaluated and found acceptable for continued use, eventually resulting in the landmark flight using 100% renewable biodiesel fuel. According to Chief Pilot Carol Sugars who wrote and conducted the test program, “As we gradually increased the amount of biodiesel in the fuel blend, the data confirmed that the aircraft continued to perform well, giving me the confidence to transition to 100% biodiesel.” Flight tests were conducted up to an altitude of 17,000 feet showing no significant difference in performance compared to conventional jet fuel.
(greenflightinternational)References: greenflightinternational, psfk 1 Comment: on Biodiesel Jet |
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